2021 Free Agency: Five Defenseman The Flyers Should Consider Signing

Last Thursday we talked about five options the Flyers should look at for backup goaltending in free agency. Today in part two of this three-piece free agency series, we’re going to evaluate five defenseman that Philadelphia should have their eyes on and make pushes to add to the roster.

The Flyers’ struggles on the blueline have been very evident and stand out like a sore thumb despite the team’s other issues as well. Defense has been a very weak spot for them this season, marred by inconsistent play, injuries, and the loss of a steady veteran presence in Matt Niskanen.

It should be also be evident at this point that Ivan Provorov probably won’t become a true number one defenseman in Philadelphia due to some shortcomings on both sides of the puck, but he’ll likely peak as a very good number two which is still great. Travis Sanheim is also an RFA with arbitration eligibility after this season, but he will be no doubt be back next year and will hopefully take a step forward in his game.

There are two things that the Flyers can do to address their issues: sign a true number one defenseman, or get another good defenseman to pair with Provorov that can help elevate and bring some consistency to his and the entire defensive corps’ game much like Niskanen did in his brief time with Philadelphia.

Of course, the Flyers will need to open up some cap space via trade or the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft to help address their needs in free agency, but regardless, here’s the five options the Flyers should have on their radar this offseason.